Haveri ready for KJP meet

Haveri, which derives its name from ‘haavu’ (snake) and `keri’ (place), is getting ready for the Sunday’s launch of the Karnataka Janata Party (KJP) floated by former chief minister BS Yeddyurappa.

Finishing touches are being given at KLES’ Gudleppa Hallikeri College ground, the venue of the meeting. The organisers hope to finish by Saturday evening.

Meanwhile, the entry of Pooja Gandhi to the KJP fold seems to have infused extra zeal among party workers. The organisers are expecting over 5 lakh workers for the event.

Care is being taken to provide accommodation for workers, who have come from different districts.

Apart from the 15-acre high school ground, organisers have also taken temporary possession of a nearby private land and adjacent empty space belonging to GH College.

Work on the mega pandal, covering 6 lakh sq ft, began on November 15 and about 120 labourers are working round the clock.  The main dais, spread over 5,000 sq ft, has been constructed with the capacity of 100 seats. Organisers, however, themselves are in doubt about number of dignitaries who will appear on the main stage.

New dimension: BSY
KJP mentor Yeddyurappa, who arrived in Haveri on Friday afternoon, predicted that his party’s launch will give a new dimension to state politics. He told reporters that many sitting MLAs will join his party in the near future. However, he refused to reveal whether they will be from the BJP alone or other parties too.

 “Time itself will reveal everything; just wait and watch,” he asserted.

Regarding the Cauvery issue, he advised Shettar to take an all-party delegation of MLAs to New Delhi to convince the Union government.

What to expect

• Organisers have arranged a special train of 18 coaches from Mysore.
• About 60 MLAs are expected to attend the event.
• Total expected participants for the event: 5 lakh.
• Traffic on Pune-Bangalore (NH-4) may be hit on Sunday